School Entrance Tests 11+ Blog

Designing School Grounds to assist Learning School grounds can provide an enormously valuable resource for learning and teaching – for any subject, at short notice and for little or no cost. So it’s vitally important that their capacity to support curriculum delivery and opportunities for learning through play are considered in their design. To help…

STEM Careers Guidance STEM and Careers Guidance The term ‘STEM’ originated in government as a useful acronym for a group of closely related subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Subjects which, it is argued, are of significant importance to the UK economy. Across a range of STEM industries, including life sciences, chemical sciences, engineering…

Firstly, below we look at 11Plus GL exams content. An informative infographic on the types of questions and also material to learn for 11Plus GL exams. 11Plus GL Exams Explained A brief look at the different exams used within the 11Plus GL exams. Also, have a look at Grammar schools using GL. Grammar school entrance exams are…

In this blog, we look at which future STEM jobs you can prepare yourself for now. STEM jobs refer to those involved in Science, Technology, Electronics and Mathematics. What will future STEM jobs look like You only need to watch sci-fi movies to know that we have not been that great in predicting the future…

According to some sources, an audit manager is rated as the best job in the UK for 2019. The question then is how to become an audit manager. How to become an audit manager What is an audit management Firstly, auditing is the process of analysing procedures and processes. All this, to make sure they…

As private schools make offers to students, we look at the most prestigious private schools in the UK Getting into the most prestigious private schools Over the coming weeks, you will find out whether your child has been successful in getting into his or her private school of choice. Fingers crossed you get the one…

We have a look at some excellent interview tips for tech jobs and related STEM careers. Interview tips for tech jobs You might have just graduated or have years of experience with an impressive CV. However, finding the right job can be quite challenging. Companies use different recruitment processes. These usually involve some form of…

Firstly a brief look at two of the top design jobs in the UK for 2019. These were also included in a recent article in the Telegraph looking at The 10 best jobs in the UK 2019. Top design jobs the UK The top design jobs in the UK at the moment are reportedly product managers…

SATs 2019 practice, similar to those in the 3 Maths areas. See if you can do these 15 questions in 10 minutes. SATs Math Quiz Remember, no calculators or using Google. The SATs quiz below is great practice. Make sure to have a piece of paper and a pen handy. In the real exam conditions,…

Ten Minute Maths Test Welcome to our first Ten Minute Maths Test. There are 15 questions in ten minutes. Firstly, answer the following questions as fast and accurately as you can. You may use paper and a pencil for calculations. Ready, get set, go…. Our ten-minute tests for 11+ preparation is also a great…

Women in tech How organisations such as GCHQ are targeting girls for STEM careers Intelligence service GCHQ and defence company BAE Systems are two organisations looking to get more women in tech. The UK faces a nationwide skills shortage within the STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) community. According to Engineering UK’s 2018 report, 203,000 people with…

Are you studying or working in Financing and wondering where to go with your qualifications and experience? Have a look at the top finance jobs in the UK 2019. These were also included in a recent article in the Telegraph looking at The 10 best jobs in the UK 2019. They weren’t at the bottom of this…

There are many private schools, independent school and public school differences. Public school differences A private school is a school that is not financed by the State but by school fees paid by parents. Private schools can catertor any age group and there is a considerable range in the size of the fees they charge.…

Private school interview tips for the big day. How to succeed in a school interview. So your child has done all the hard work, right? They’ve passed their 11 Plus entrance exams. Now all they’ve got to do is show up for the school interview and that’s it. They’ll be heading to their chosen school…

Firstly, welcome to our newest career blog. In this post, we will focus on how to become a mobile app developer. How to become a mobile app developer. What does a mobile app developer do? Our daily lives are dominated by mobile apps. You use them to check your mail, connect with your friends and…

Firstly, welcome to our newest career blog. In this post, we will focus on how to become a business intelligence analyst. How to become a business intelligence analyst What does a Business Intelligence Analyst do? A Business Intelligence (BI) Analyst analyses data used in a business. This data and the interpretation or analysis thereof…

Here are some useful 11 Plus English Comprension tips. 11 Plus English Comprehension tips 11 Plus English Comprehension tip 1 – Key words Watch out for certain key words and phrases in either the passage or question (or both!). These key words often act as the link between different pieces of information. In many cases…

In my 20+ years experience, I know that these can be the stuff of nightmares. For a parent, as well as their kids! The key learning point is to take this on-board as simply a new skill to master, like any other. Learning to drive typically takes a few months with some regular weekly time devoted…

What does Strictly’s Joe Suggs do for a real job? Becoming an Influencer (Marketer) What is an Influencer An influencer is a person who influences the buying choices other people make. They are usually able to do this either because they are in a position of authority, well-known and respected or merely based on their relationship…

Firstly, welcome to our blog on how to become a product manager. Becoming a Product Manager What is a product manager Product management is not easily defined and the scope of a product manager can be very varied depending on the industry. It can, however, be seen as a lifecycle function that includes various functions like…

Appeals process: what to do you if you don’t get the school place you wanted You’ve just handed in your secondary school application form. Now the patient waits to find out if your child has got into the school of their choice. But what do you do if he or she doesn’t get in? Don’t…

Firstly, welcome to our blog on becoming a machine learning and AI specialist How to become a Machine Learning and AI Specialist What is Machine Learning and what does a Machine Learning Specialist do Machine learning is a method of data analysis and a field of artificial intelligence. It involves automating analytical data building and…

The Sunday Times’ Parent Power league tables 2019 make a fascinating read for anyone looking at which secondary schools to send their children to. This year’s results reveal that state schools are starting to close the gap in the independent sector. State schools close the gap on the independent sector Who doesn’t love a league table?…

Girls Schools in London offer an excellent academic education. Living in London, or relocating here? Many education experts believe that girls’ only education is best for girls. This will, of course, depend on your daughter and the best environment for her. To help with your choice, see five of our top picks below: Central London City of…

Here are our University application tips. What can you do to ensure your application process goes well. University application tips It’s estimated that over 500,000 Sixth Formers are applying to University this year. That means many more individual University applications. In theory, it’s now possible to start University in January. It’s certainly another option to…

Firstly we will focus on what to look at when making GCSE choices. GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) is an academically / subject based qualification. Students in England and Wales study towards this over a 2 year period, Year 10 and 11. The idea of GCSEs is to give you a broad general knowledge,…

Firstly, welcome to our newest career blog. In this post, we will focus on how to become a data scientist How to become a data scientist What does a Data Scientist do? Data Science is an interdisciplinary field that uses scientific processes and systems to interpret data. According to Wikipedia: Data science is a “concept to…

Children are missing out on their chosen schools with many oversubscribed schools, especially in big cities. However, the situation varies considerably across the UK. We look at some of the areas where demand is outstripping supply. Most popular grammar schools Getting your child into their chosen school is getting more difficult than ever. According to…

Cyber-security threats to children When kids use technology there’s always a potential threat. Whether if it was their personal information. Or the account information of their parents. Kids and technology should always have enhanced protection. Whether they are surfing the web. Or just playing games. Kids should not be exposed to the evils of what…

Firstly, welcome to our first career blog. In this post, we will focus on how to become a software engineer. How to become a software engineer What does a Software Engineer do? A software engineer is someone who uses software engineering in design, maintenance, development, evaluation and also testing of computer software. This is however quite…

We want the best education for our children; we want them to reach their full potential and to remain healthy in mind and body in the process. What is the best education for my children? Private or grammar school education? We cannot predict where their journey will take them or when their talents may begin…

What are T Levels? T Levels are new technical qualifications. What are T Levels? They are designed as two-year courses to offer young people aged 16 to 18 a technical alternative to A levels to prepare them for a skilled job or further study. In the UK, unlike in some other countries, for example,…

Homework can have a positive effect on a child’s performance. But it needs to be proportionate and relevant, not set simply to please the parent or headteacher. How much homework is necessary? How much homework is too much? And does it really have any benefit at all? Certainly, Match of the Day presenter and father…

Below we list some great health tips during exam situations and nutrition for exam success provided to us by Nutritional Therapist Emily Fawell. You can find her website and contact details below. Good food for stress relief and optimal functioning Great concentration levels rely on good blood sugar balance. This means making sure that your body…

Welcome to our blog on becoming an 11 Plus tutor. How to become an 11 plus tutor Although many 11-plus exams claim to be tutor-proof, coaching for secondary school entrance tests is a huge industry. Parents want to give their child any possible advantage over the competition, so there is a high demand for good…

Welcome to our 11+ blog titled, Independent school parent guide. Our other 11+ blog entries are listed at the bottom of this page. Independent school parent guide Navigating the independent education system. This blog endeavours to touch on the following issues within the independent education system; What ages for which stage? Which pre-school? When to…

How do I ask for a private school bursary? Want to send your child to private school, but don’t have the necessary funds? We give you some top private school bursary tips below How to ask for a school bursary? The cost of private schools continues to increase above the rate of inflation. According to…

Does Kumon work? Welcome to our latest blog, titled How does Kumon work? How does Kumon work? We examine what Kumon has to offer and look at other learning programmes including Explore Learning and The Student Support Centre Every parent wants the best start in life for their child. For many, this means a good…

Getting high exam results Dr Alan Beggs, Senior Consultant, Examsuccess There’s a surprisingly close link between Olympic sports training and the 11 Plus. In particular, the competitive challenges, with lots of prior preparation and ultimately – winners and losers. And a lot of accompanying angst! Around 100,000 children sit the 11Plus selective exam in…

In this blog we look at which study apps are the best. Gone are the days of simply writing down your revision notes on flash cards or sticking your timetable to the bedroom wall. Here we look at 8 study apps that can help you prepare for you for exams For getting organised My Study…

Everything you need to know about 11 Plus application and how to apply for grammar school tests. Plus, the differences in your grammar school application are detailed below. 11 Plus Application / How to apply for grammar school test Grammar schools are state secondary schools which select their pupils by means of an examination taken…

Our friend Dom Gibson provided us with some top 11 plus preparation tips. Dom is the Educational Enrichment Editor for Tutorful, spending most of his day researching the best educational tools out there and exploring the big education questions asked by parents. He loves all things learning, just like Tutorful; You can take a look…

In this GL Assessment CAT Practice Tips Intro, we will discuss all details surrounding the CAT4 and it’s uses. The Cognitive Ability Test: Fourth Edition (CAT4) is a standardised cognitive test. It provides insights into children’s’ ability to reason across 4 fields: verbal, non-verbal, mathematical and spatial as compared to the national average. The content of these tests…

When do school open days take place and what do I look for at school open days are answered in the blog below. School Open Days – what to look for in a secondary school Is your child starting secondary school next September? Then now is a good time to start planning school open days…

In this Lucid Reading Test intro, we have a look at the different tests and their uses. GL Assessments distribute the Lucid test portfolio. The tests are used to screen and diagnose learners with specific learning difficulties. They are also very useful in identifying potential and understanding learners’ strengths and weaknesses. Different Lucid Reading Test…

Our focus in this week’s blog is on 11+ English Papers Practice Tips. 11+ English Practice / 11+ English Tips Your understanding will be tested in many different ways, including: Presenting the same information in a different way Identifying the key points Distinguishing between what is portrayed as fact and fiction Inferences Deductions There are…

In this post, we will look at ideas for encouraging children’learning. Words of encouragement for kids motivation comes from being acknowledged. Words of encouragement for kids motivation In this post, we will share some nice sayings and positive words on how to encourage children. They will help them feel inspired and motivated. Praise is needed…

We hope you find our 11 plus tips for parents helpful. We start with when you should start your 11 Plus 2019 entry and 11+ preparation? How much 11 Plus practice does your child need? When should you start your 11+ prep? 11 Plus Tips for Parents 2019 entry and 11 Plus preparation One of…